"Duets," the live-conversation program offered exclusively to subscribers of The Dallas Morning News, launches its spring schedule on Tuesday, March 5, with an exchange between classical music special contributor Scott Cantrell and not one but two dynamos associated with the Cliburn festival in Fort Worth.

They are Cliburn pianist Clayton Stephenson and Cliburn CEO Jacques Marquis. But that's not all. This particular "Duets" carries with it a special cachet in terms of where it will take place. It will happen in the Dallas Public Library auditorium, where visitors will also be treated to a live piano concert.

Jacques Marquis, president/CEO of Cliburn Foundation in his office in Fort Worth

(David Woo/Staff Photographer)

The three will talk about the Cliburn's Junior Piano Competition, to be held for the first time in Dallas.

Stephenson brings lofty credentials. He was named a 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native was also a prize winner of the 2015 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and the 2016 Cooper International Competition.

Scott Cantrell also brings lofty credentials. Our Duets moderator served as classical music critic of The Dallas Morning News from 1999 to 2015, when he retired. He continues to cover the beat on a freelance basis, providing his keen level of insight into the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Opera, the Fort Worth Symphony and others that fall under the rubric of classical music.

Before returning to Dallas, where he graduated from Southern Methodist University, Cantrell spent 10 years at the Kansas City Star and before that worked in newspapers in Albany and Rochester, N.Y. As a freelance correspondent, he has also written for The New York Times, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and such magazines as Gramophone, BBC Music, Opera News and Symphony Magazine.

Scott Cantrell

Cantrell truly loves classical music, having also served as a church organist and choirmaster. And he is quite familiar with the Cliburn, which he has chronicled multiple times. You can read more about the Cliburn here

The Cantrell/Cliburn program is merely the kickoff to our spring Duets program. On April 1, the distinguished art historian and critic Rick Brettell will engage in a dialogue with The News' architecture critic Mark Lamster. Titled "Art and the City," the talk coincides with April Arts Month in Dallas. Brettell, who recently retired from The News but remains a frequent contributor, will look back on a long career as a historian, curator and critic, and discuss what he's learned about our local scene. The critics will also address the future of North Texas arts institutions, the continued development of the Dallas Arts District as well as the expansion of art access beyond the urban core, and why we need a Museum of Texas Art.

Arts writer Lauren Smart in 2016 leading a discussion at the Dallas Festival of Ideas in Fair Park.

(Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer)

Later in April, part two of our Arts Month "Duets" continues with freelance contributor Lauren Smart, an arts writer and critic who teaches journalism at Southern Methodist University, and Sofia Bastidas, a curator and director of SMU's Pollock Gallery.

In May, in partnership with the Mayborn writing program at the University of North Texas, "Duets" will feature Jesus Jimenez, our weather ace at The News, who'll share the stage with Brantley Hargrove, a Mayborn graduate and author of a book on storm chasers.

Brantley Hargrove poses for a photo just outside of Pilger, Neb.

(Ed Grubb/Simon and Schuster)

How to register for 'Duets'

Seating is limited and tickets are complimentary for Dallas Morning News subscribers as part of the newspaper's Plugged In loyalty rewards program. Register at dallasnews.com/duets.

— 6:30 p.m.: Doors open, wine and small bites available.

— 7 to 7:45 p.m.: The conversation.

— 7:45 to 8 p.m.: Q&A with the audience.

"Duets" is produced by The News' Arts & Life team. Keep up with future "Duets" announcements and get the latest local culture stories by signing up for our weekly Arts & Life newsletter.